Lebanon: Support the ICRC Response to the Escalation of Conflict

Since October 2023, the renewed conflict in Gaza and its spillover into Lebanon have had severe humanitarian consequences. According to UN estimates, over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, more than 1’200 people have been killed since October 2023.

Initially, it was the people of southern Lebanon who faced heightened tensions and incessant cross-border hostilities. However, the violence has rapidly escalated, resulting in thousands of casualties and claiming hundreds of lives. The country is now torn apart by violence, extending from the northern Bekaa Valley to the Baalbek-Hermel governorate, and even reaching the heart of Beirut.

The people in Lebanon have already been facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation coupled with severe economic crisis. They now face challenges in accessing basic goods, clean water, health services etc. as vital infrastructures are being damaged.

In light of the recent escalation of hostilities, particularly since Tuesday, 17 September 2024, the conflict has intensified to unprecedented levels, leading to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation. In the face of the challenges and growing humanitarian needs, the ICRC, present in Lebanon since 1967, is now responding together with the Lebanese Red Crescent and local actors across three pillars of life-saving interventions/priorities:

1. Ensuring the protection of civilians.
2. Providing critical care to the war wounded.
3. Addressing the essential needs of those affected by the conflict.

In the next weeks, a special emphasis will be placed on addressing critical medical emergencies.

- We will immediately provide urgent medical and logistical assistance to Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), ensuring they can handle up to 600 patients.

- We will place a special emphasis will be placed on addressing critical medical emergencies, such as performing C-sections and managing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) cases, alongside providing clinical support for rape victims.

- Beyond direct medical care, our contingency plans include covering the medical bills of non-Lebanese war-wounded patients at identified hospitals, ensuring that their treatment is not delayed during this critical window.

- To support RHUH’s operations, we will mobilize contingency stocks, including fuel and consumables for generators, as well as critical supplies for emergency repairs. These stocks will cover a broad range of medical essentials, from orthopedic materials and lab supplies to drugs and consumables sourced through WW kits and MCI cabinets.

- In addition to medical care, mobility devices and other necessary resources will be distributed to those in need as part of our broader contingency plan to provide immediate, life-saving assistance. By deploying these measures, we aim to stabilize the situation during the most vulnerable phase and provide the necessary support to the affected population.

With the escalation of the conflict, the ICRC adapted its programmes in Lebanon to respond to emergency needs.

Between the 17 September to 16 October 2024, the ICRC delivered vital medical supplies and ensured continuity of medical services (and continues to do so):

- 20 primary-health-care facilities and 10 emergency medical services centres received medical supplies, and more than 110,000 liters of fuel were donated to hospitals and health centres
- The ICRC has been working to set up critical trauma centres, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, at the Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) in Beirut and Zahle Governmental Hospital in Bekaa. The centre at the RHUH became operational on 16 October.
- Two ICRC teams specialised in weapon-wounded care (one already dispatched) will operate in Beirut and Zahle to support the local healthcare infrastructure to adequately treat the large influx of weapon-wounded patients.

And covered essential needs:

- Around 262,000 people gained better access to water following the installation of water pumps in communities affected by the escalation of the conflict.
- 6,700 food parcels and 1,700 kitchen sets were distributed across Lebanon.
- 6,800 hygiene kits, 16,200 blankets and 3,000 mattresses were distributed across Lebanon to villages hosting internally displaced persons.

At all times, we are upholding the protection of civilians: We actively engage with parties to the conflict, reminding them of their obligations under IHL.

Today, the ICRC needs your support to protect and assist those affected by the horrors of war in Lebanon. We thank you for your trust.